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Eddie Chikamhi
Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE are set to shift base to Botswana’s Obed Chilume Itani Stadium in Francistown for the first leg of the CHAN qualifiers against Eswatini pencilled for this Sunday.
The homeless Warriors, who played their recent 2026 World Cup and 2025 AFCON qualification matches at Orlando Stadium in South Africa, have since informed their opponents that the upcoming game will be in Francistown.
ZIFA yesterday announced a youthful squad comprising mostly under-23 players for this tournament that is reserved exclusively for the players playing in domestic leagues. The Warriors are expected to start trooping into camp today and will be under the tutelage of Warriors assistant coach Takesure Chiragwi.
“For the upcoming CHAN Qualifiers, Zimbabwe has selected a developmental squad primarily composed of Under-23 and Under-20 players, along with just four senior players.
“The team will be coached by Takesure Chiragwi and their training camp is set to begin in Harare tomorrow (today),” said a statement from ZIFA yesterday.
The 22-member Warriors squad comprises mostly unheralded players with Godknows Murwira, who was recently in action during the 2026 World Cup and 2025 AFCON qualifiers, expected to provide leadership. Chicken Inn goalkeeper Donovan Bernard, Obriel Chirinda (Ngezi Platinum Stars), and Brian Banda of FC Platinum, who of late have been on the fringes of the Zimbabwe senior men’s team, are the other experienced players in the squad.
But by and large, the selection is largely inexperienced and it will be interesting for young and exciting talents. Uncharacteristically, giants Dynamos have not provided a single player to the CHAN squad. Goalkeeper Martin Mapisa and defender Emmanuel Jalai were in the main Warriors squad recently for the AFCON qualifiers, but with ZIFA emphasising development thrust the duo could not be considered.
“I think that is what everybody wants, that we can cater for the young players, also they can play at such a tournament without any pressure.
“This can help them to have game time and the coaches from the development teams take over, that is a development opportunity on its own,” said Warriors coach Michael Nees before the announcement of the squad yesterday.
He also said since the tournament was falling outside of the FIFA window, clubs especially those that have crucial games, were not compelled to release their best players.
“Let me be honest, this competition is outside the FIFA calendar meaning clubs have more power over players.
“We are mindful of all that; we can’t take the best players from any club at the present moment when they are either fighting for a championship or to survive relegation.
“In my opinion, it will be difficult for clubs to back us with their players at such a critical stage, unfortunately, the competition was communicated late so the league couldn’t prepare for it.
“One of the options is we send a very youthful squad like a mixture of the under 20 and 23,” said Nees.
The domestic league programme is set to continue this week with the Chibuku Super Cup semi-finals between Ngezi Platinum Stars and Simba Bhora at Baobab this Saturday before Dynamos host Manica Diamonds at Rufaro on Sunday.
Zimbabwe will play Eswatini on the same day in Botswana before travelling to South Africa to face Esihlangu three days later at Mbombela Stadium, which has been the Swazis’ adopted home ground since 2019.
The winner between Zimbabwe and Eswatini will face Madagascar in the next round of the qualifiers. The CHAN 2025 will take place in February next year in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Zimbabwe CHAN squad:
GOALKEEPERS: Donovan Bernard (Chicken Inn), Joseph Kaunda (Manica Diamonds)
DEFENDERS: Godknows Murwira (CAPS United), Allan Chapinduka (TelOne FC), Anotidaishe Gwatidzo (Yadah FC), Thubelihle Jubani (Manica Diamonds), Zibusiso Ruguchu (Herentals), Blessing Kagudu (Herentals), Chris Mukumbira (Bikita Minerals)
MIDFIELDERS: Brian Banda (FC Platinum), Blessed Ndereki (Yadah FC), Mthokozisi Msebe (Simba Bhora), McKinnon Mushore (Highlanders), Tinashe Mashaireni (Kwekwe United), Denzel Mapuwa (GreenFuel), Enock Moyo (Bikita Minerals)
FORWARDS: Obriel Chirinda (Ngezi Platinum Stars), Junior Bunjira (CAPS United), Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya (FC Platinum), Tinashe Mavhudzi (Chegutu Pirates), Prince Ndlovu (Highlanders), Ashwin Karengesha (ZPC Kariba).
Online Reporter